Folding game-table.



F. JOHNSON & B. IVI. APPLEBEE.

FOLDING GAME TABLE.

APPLICATIQN FILED MAY 5. 1917.

Pfend 1111131111918.

2 SHEEIS-SHEE Y i.

F. JOHNSON I B. M. APPLEBEE.

FOLDING GAME TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1917.

Patented May14,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- XRD ST'FES ENT FFCE FRANK JOHNSON AND BURTON` M: APPLEBEE,- OF BROOKLYN, NEW '-YORK,

FOLDING' GAME-TABLE.

Application filed May 5, 1917.

To all fr0/1,0m it may concern.'

Be it known that We, FRANK JOHNSON and BURTON M. ArrLnsnn, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,I have invented a certainfneiv and useful Improvenient in Folding (frame-Tables', or' which the following isa specification.

The invention relates more particularly to tables on which pool', billiards and analogousganies'are played,"andY the main' object of the invention is to provide a tableof this type which may be-folded vinto small coinpass for storage or transportation and easily unfolded and extended tor service.

A further object is to provide a foldable bed jfor such tablesfwhich shall be rigid and plane when lextended,-'and means for locking snch bed to a foldable cushion-traine in such manner as to break joints"4 and maintain .the rigidity.

Another important object to provide means for Ypreventing the formation of creases' inthe bed-covering While in the folded condition,` and to provide a simple a nd eilicient'y rail-cushion.

Another objectk is to provide a structure in which the folded bed may be received and held 'Within vthe folded yrails or frame as a receptacleior 'storage vor vtransportation.

The invention `consists in certain novel features or construction and arrangement by which the above and other objects are attained, to be Ihereinafter describedy and claimed. i

The accompanying drawings-form a part or' thisspeciication and showt/he invention as carried yout-in a pool table.

Figure l is a plan view kof the table in the-open or distended condition` 2 Fig. 2 is a corresponding sideeleva-tion.

Fig. k3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. l, and partly in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the under face of the table. l

Fig. "5 is a. vertical section'through lcertain portions ofthe rail Vand bed, taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a transverse -section on the yline 6 6 in the'preceding figure.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation showingthe rframe and bed in the folded and packed condition.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 191.8.

semi No. leeres.y

Fig. S is a corresponding edge view.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on ythe line 9-9 in Fig. 7 and partly in4 elevation.

The remaining liiguresy are on a larger scale and show details.

Fig; l0 is a. vertical sectionthrough the rail, bed', .and cushion.

Fig. Vl1 isa plan view of one of the pockets seen from below;

Fig. 1122 is a verticalsection showing the construction of one of the adjustable supporting legs.

Fig. 13 is a verticalr section on a still larger scale showing the construction ot the bed andY itsxcovering` r Fig.y 14 isT a plan view of the bed withf out its covering and ywith certain :partsvremoved from certain portions, and partly, in horizontal section Vto show the direction of thegrain ofthe Wood. i

Similar letters rof reference indicate lthe saine parts in all Ithe figures.`

'The table is rectangular vand shownas having a length abouttvvice its Width, and comprises tivo main portions, the rails and the bed. Thefrails consist of an. outert'rame A securely joinedv at the vcorners and preferably .reinforcedby Leshaped plates A1 set in the upper face at thosepoints, landthe cushions B fastened-to the inner faces of the frame and of less depth than'the latterto provide a rabbet in which .the-bed isfre ceived and held. This frame yisdivided transversely at the centerline of each long side and hinged on the underiace as at A3 to fold upon litself with the` cushions `presented xoutwardly, and .the hinges are .sufficiently offset fromA the plane,as shown-.in Figs. 2 vand '3 kto lprovide ya space between the adjacent faceswhenv folded, rWhich With the rabbetsaatfords an open-sided pocket or receptacle to contain the bed, as will be cle-- scribed.

Thebedxisin three parts joined together; the main centralportion C is approximately square andthe leaves()1 C1 are each of ap,- proximatelyfhalf its area and are connected -to .such mainportion by hinges C2, so that the smooth Aupper faces ,of the leaves C1 C1 fold Aupon the smooth upper face of the central portion C. The hinges are vlocated on the upper surface at the margins of the bed to lie concealed beneath the cushions B .atea'ch'side which are holloived out or recessed tov receive thenn see Figs. 5 and 6.

On the under face of the bed along the margins are turn-buttons D arranged to engage in housings or keepers on the under faces ot' the traine A and hold these parts stiiiiy distended with the buttons lying across the joints.. The under faces ot' the leaves C1 C1 and central portion C carry short blocks or lugs F arranged to extend across the bed-joints and maintain the bed in a plane condition.

rlhe cushions B are interrupted at the cornersA and at the midlcngth of the sides to match to the openings@ c in the bed which torni the mouths of the pockets G. ylhe latter are not pernninently attached to the bed but are ot' net secured to open rings G1 each adapted to be compressed to enter a series of housings or? located around the opening on the under tace ot' the bed and to expand and engage therewith.

T he table is designed to rest upon any suitable surface, as a dining table, and is supported by four short legs il hinged at H1 to the under faces of the leaves C1 C1 and adapted to project downwardly at a right angle therefrom for service o'r to be tolded thereon.

The rails are held against lateral movement at the midlength joints by a vertical ridgeor doivel A* on one member received in a corresponding groove a, in the other, as shown in Figs. l and 7, and thus the frame is stiffened at these joints.

lt Will he noted that the joints in the rails are located on the center line ot the main portion C ot the hed, While the :tolding lines of the latter are located midway between the rail-joints and end rails, thus breaking joints and insuring the required rigidity.

Short turn-buttons J d on the rails eirtend across the line ot junction to the under tace ot the bed at certain points and aid the buttons D in holding the bed lirinly and stiy in the rabbet ot the rails.

Assuming the table to be in condition for service, as in Figs. l, 2, 3 and a, and is to be folded; the table is partly elevated by turning on one edge or pair ot legs, the pockets G are removed by compressing the rings Gl sufficiently to release them from their housings G2, the legs are then folded doivn upon the bed, and the series oi buttons D and .l are turned to tree the bed from the rabbet in the rails and is removed therefrom, and its leaves C1 C1 folded upon the main portion C. rlhe traine is then folded upon itself, the oliset condition et the hinges AS being suiiicient to permit 'the members to lie parallel when thus folded with the oppositely located housings E and E of the tivo portions in contact, see Fig. 8, and forming an open topped pocket or receptacle into which thc folded bed is slid and closely received, see Figs. i', 8 and 9. rllhe open mouth ot such receptacle is then closed hy a hollow needles cap lvl having a length and thickness equal to the Width and thickness ot the iolded trame, and is fastened to the latter by hooks l K engaged in eyes K1 lil suitably located on the outer faces oi the trame and on the ends oi the cap, and to prevent spreading of the lower edges otl the i'olded traine, such edges are held in proper relation by similar hooks L and L and eyes L1 and lf on the end-rails.

The cap M is shaped to match to the ends or the cushions B at the notches provided tor the side-pocl1ets c. and has a ridge M1 at one end and a groove m at the other matching to the corresponding groove u, and ridge et on the rails. The ends of the cap are also notched as at m1 in Fig. 23 to receive one set or hinges G2 of the bed, and the cap is provided with a suitable handle M2 on its upper tace by which the Whole may be conveniently carried.

A reversal ot' the operation unfolds the table and conditions it 'for service as a pool table.

The bed is preferably ot wood to provide the desired strength combined with lightness, and it is essential that its upper i'aee be plane and any tendency to Warp be resisted, to this end the hed is a built-up struoture comprising series ot separated strips Ct, in which the grain of the Wood lies in the direction ot the length ot the table, see Fig, la, between tivo thin boards C5 C5 to which they are tirinly glued and in which the grain runs in the same direction as in the strips, this insures against warping longitudinaly, in the direction of the grain; and to prevent curling transversely the hars G6 with their grain ruiming lengthwise, but transversely of the bed, are inserted between each pair ot strips Ct, fitted closely in the spaces thus provided. rllhe bars C5 are oi' the saine thickness as the strips Ut and are not fastened either to the surface boards C5 or to the adjacent faces ot the strips hut are tree so that the strips and boards ymay together expand or contract laterally and more relatively to the hars C5. To insure this freedom ot movement the bars are each Wrapped in an envelop of paper C7 before the glued boards C5 C5 are applied so that While the paper may and will adhere to the boards, the bars are free to slide Within the paper envelop or covering, or it the glue unintentionally reaches the bars so that the paper adheres to both the bar and one or both ot the boards or the strips, the movement of the joined boards and strips relatively to the bars will separate the paper in laniinee and thus tree the bars. The latter are stitl enough to resist any tendency of the boards and strips to curl or Warp laterally.

The cushions B are in sections secured to the rails and overhang on their inner edges as usual; to provide the desired resiliency a cylindrical strip B1 of rubber is cemented in a. corresponding semicircular groove along such edge and projects sufficiently to receive the impact of the ball in playing. Both the cushion and rubber strip are iuclosed in billiard cloth B2 or other fabric.

'l ie upper face of the bed is also cloth covered as indicated in Fig. 13, andthe cloth CQ instead of being cemented directly to the upper board C5, is cemented to a sheet of paper C which is first cemented to such board and the cloth C8 then applied to the paper. By this construction. and by offsetting the hinges C2 above the bed-surface. the cloth CS forms a curve or roll of relatively long radius when the leaves C1 are folded and the formation of sharp creases in the cloth is avoided. The paper C9 may break at the fold inan irregular line or may split or separate in laminae, as above described, part adhering to the board and part to the cloth in the vicinity of the folding line.

ln order that the distended table may be leveled the loiver portion H2 of each leg Ais arranged to slide telescopically Within the other, and a fixed bolt H3 mounted in the upper portion receives a circular thumb-nut il* lying in a slot 7L. of the portion H2 which is easily operated by the fingers through the notches h1 in the upper portion to adjust the length of the leg.

The legs are hinged to the under face of the bed at H1 and each carries an arm H adapted to ride upon a spring H6 mounted in a recess c1 in the bed and movably hold the leg either in the folded position parallel With the bed-surface or projecting at a right angle therefrom.

rhe invent-ion provides at low cost a table of the pool or billiard type of suiiiciently high grade for general or home use, and its folding features permit its installation in apartu ments in which the usual table could not be accommodated for lack of space, and per mits its easy transportation. Its appearance is attractive and it may be made in close imitation of the usual large table and it may be ornamented as desired or produced in various grades of size and quality at corresponding prices; in the cheaper qualities beds of less costly construction may be substituted for the built-up board described, and the material used for covering the bed and cushions may be correspondingly varied.

l. In a table of the character set forth, a bcd arranged to fold upon itself and to be unfolded in a plane, and a frame arranged to fold vupon itself and to be unfolded and inclose said bed, the line of fold of said bed lying out of coincidence with the line of fold of said frame.

2. In a table of the character set forth, a

bed arranged to fold upon itself and to be unfolded in a plane, a frame arranged to fold upon itself and to be unfolded and of fold of said frame, and means carried by said bed and frame for separably joining said bed and frame.

3. ln a table of the character set forth, a bed arranged to fold upon itself and to be unfolded in a plane, and a frame arranged to fold upon itself and to be unfolded and inclose said bed in such plane condition, and to be folded and inclose said bed when the latter is in the folded condition.

i. In a table of the character set forth, a bed consisting of a central portion and a leaf on each side thereof arranged to fold upon said central port-ion, a frame adapted to inclose said bed in the unfolded condition, said frame consisting of two substantially equal portions arranged to Afold upon each other.

5. In a table of the character set forth. a bed arranged to fold upon itself consisting of a cent-ral portion and two leaves hinged thereto one on each side thereof,l a frame in tivo substantially equal portions hinged together and arranged to receive and inclose said bed when thelatter and said framen are in the unfolded condition, the hinges of said bed and frame arranged to fold oppositely relatively to each other, and means for separably engaging said hed with said frame.

6. ln a table of the character set forth. a hed, a frame in two portions hinged together and adapted to receive and inclose said hed, hinges at the joints of said frame. each portion having a member arranged to extend across such joint and engage the other portion to resist lateral strains on such joints.

7. ln a table of the character set forth, a bed arranged to fold upon itself consisting of a central portion and two leaves hinged thereto, one on each side thereof, a frame in tivo substantially equal portions hinged together and arranged to receive and inclose said bed when the latter and said frame are in the unfolded condition, the hinges of said bed lying on the upper face and received in recesses in said frame, and the hinges of said frame on the lower face thereof, movable means for separably engaging said bed with said frame7 and means on the under face of said bed arranged to overlap the joints therein and stiffen said bed.

8. In a table of the character set forth, a foldable bed, a foldable frame arranged to inclose said bed, movable means on said frame and bed for separably engaging said bed to said frame, and legs hinged to said bed and arranged to fold thereon.

9. In n table of the character set forth` a. foldallle bed, a foldeble freine arranged to inclose said bed, movable nienns on said fre-.ine and bed for separably engaging said bed to seid freine legs hinged to seid hed and arranged to fold thereon, and ineens for adjusting the length of said legs.

l0. ln a table of the character set forth, a foldable hed7 a foldable freine arranged to inclose said bed, movable means on said freine and bed for separahly engaging said bed to said frame, legs hinged to said hed and arranged to fold thereon, and frictionel Ineens for maintaining said legs in either the folded or unfolded condition.

l1. In a table of the character set foi-'dr` n folder-ble hed, e foldeble frame arranged to inelose seid hed in the unfolded condition, moi/able buttons on the under face of said hed, housings on the under face of seid freine receiving seid buttons, and lugs on the part-s of said leed, arranged 'to extend across the joints of the latter in both directions.

l2. in e. table of the character set forth, a foldahle bed having pocket-openings therein, n foldahle frame arranged to inclose said bed in the unfolded condition, means for sepersbly engaging said `hed to said freine, the latter arranged when folded to forni a receptacle for the folded bed, removable pockets carried hy said hed, and means for segeraoly engaging said pockets with seid hed below such openings.

13. In a table of the character set forth, e foldahle bed having poclreoopenings therein, a foldnble frame arranged to inclose seid oed in the unfolded condition, ineens for separably engaging said bed to said freine, the latter arranged Trhen folded to forni n receptacle for 'the folded hed, hooks surrounding such openings, conipre'ssilole open rings adapted to engage such hooks, hy expanding therein7 and pockets carried by seid rings.

ld. In a table of the character set forth, a foldable bedA` n foldeble freine arranged to inclose said hed in the unfolded condition, hinges joining the portions of said bed and offset therefrom, a layer of paper oe- Inented to the upper face of said hed, und a covering of fabric cemented to said lever, the latter and said hinges serving to prevent the forniz'ition of creases in said eoferinff et the joints of seid hed when in the folded condition.

l5. ln n table of the character set forth, s foldaible bed, a foldelole freine arranged to 'iclose said oed in fhe unfolded condition, means for seperedol-yv engaging said bed to seid freine, the lette-r arranged when folde to forni a receptacle for the folded hed.

16. In a table of the character sei', forth, a foldeble bed, e foldahle freine arranged to inclose said loed in the unfolded etnidition means for separeloly engaging said hed 'to said freine, the letter arranged when folded to form a recepteclefor the folded hed, and n. cap arranged to Close seid receptacle und hold said folded bed therein, and ineens JPor detecheoiy securing seid oep to seid freine.

in testimony that We claim the invention above set forth We affix our signatures.

FRANK JHNSN. BURTON M. APPLEBEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Parents, Washington, D. C. 

